Is My Pet in Danger of Getting a Tick Bite?
Perhaps. Pets (and people) who live in the country and those who are frequently outdoors are most likely to get a tick bite. However, a tick can bite anyone and any pet. Ticks can be on your pets and fall off once inside where they go in search of another host upon which to feed.
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Symptoms
The tick bite itself goes virtually unnoticed because the tick secretes an anesthetic that blocks any pain from the bite. After a bite, there can be several telltale signs in addition to that crazy itch.
They include:
- Redness
- Itching
- Rashes
- Swelling
- Burning
- A knot on the skin
Home Remedies
Here are 15 natural remedies that are both pleasant and effective:
1. Citrus
All you need to do is prepare natural repellent oil from oranges or lemons. Take the peels out of the lemon or orange and boil them, then let them cool down naturally. Apply it directly to the affected area on your pet.
2. Aromatherapy Oil
Aromatherapy oils such as basil, cedar, cinnamon, lavender, and lemon are all natural remedies for ticks.
3. Cedar Oil Spray
Cedar oil acts as a natural repellent to harmful ticks. Use it as needed. You can put it directly on any area where your pet is affected by the ticks. Avoid spraying into your pet's face and eyes. Instead, spray a soft cloth and carefully wipe around your pet’s face.
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4. Vegetable Oil
Vegetable oils contain sulfur, which is a natural repellent for ticks. Just mix two teaspoons of vegetable oil with 10 drops of peppermint essential oil. Add one teaspoon of dishwashing liquid and stir, then apply it directly on your pet. It's best to do this once a week.
5. Garlic
Adding garlic to your pet's food can repel ticks very quickly. However, adding too much garlic to your pet's diet can be harmful. You can add 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder to your pet's food and this should do the trick.
6. Baking Soda
To use baking soda as a tick repellent, mix a half-teaspoon of baking soda and some salt. Then add this dry mixture to four ounces of apple cider vinegar. Pour it into a spray bottle and then spray it directly on your pets.
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7. Liquid Dish Soap
For this remedy, all you have to do is pour some liquid dish detergent in a bowl. Apply it to your pet's body with a cotton ball, covering the affected area. Rinse it off with water.
8. Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus is very effective against ticks. To prepare the spray, just boil 15-20 eucalyptus leaves in one liter of water for ten minutes. After boiling them, let the liquid cool down at room temperature and then strain the solution into a bottle. You can spray it directly onto your pets.
9. Orange
Oranges are rich in citric acid, which is a natural remedy to remove ticks. Just squeeze out some juice from one or two oranges and apply it on your pet's body with a cotton ball.
10. Clove
The anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties of clove aid in killing ticks. It works with fleas as well. Just pour some clove oil (mixed in a carrier oil, as it's expensive) into your hands and rub it into your pet's fur.
11. Mouthwash
Just pour some mouthwash onto a tissue or a cotton ball and place it on the affected area. This remedy works really quickly to stop the itching for your pet.
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12. Cinnamon Oil
This oil is very useful when getting rid of ticks. Just apply some directly to the affected area. Alternately, you can add 80 drops of cinnamon oil to one ounce of water. Fill a hose sprayer with this solution and gently spray it onto your lawn. This remedy goes right to the source of the problem.
13. Combs
Combing and brushing your pet are essential for good grooming and for checking the condition of your pet’s skin. Special, fine-toothed tick and flea combs are available and do a good job of removing attached fleas and ticks.
14. Neem Oil
The anti-bacterial and antiseptic properties will quickly fight against harmful ticks. All you need to do is pour a few drops of neem oil into your palm and rub it onto the infected area. If your pet has sensitive skin, you can dilute the neem oil so it won't irritate them. Mix it with a different kind of oil such as vegetable oil. You can also make a spray solution by mixing 1/2 ounce of neem oil with a 1/2 ounce of mild liquid soap. Stir well, and then add two cups of water.
15. Apple Cider Vinegar
Making an apple cider vinegar spray is a great way to get rid of ticks. Pour one cup of apple cider vinegar into a bowl, and then add four ounces of warm water to it. Stir it well while adding a half-teaspoon each of salt and baking soda. Put it in a spray bottle and shake well before using.
Apple cider vinegar can be used with lavender oil for removing ticks. Just mix 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar with a cup of water and add 15 drops of lavender oil. Mix well and apply directly to your pet.
Where to Buy Cedar Oil
To see the full line of tick repellent products, click the button below
Preventing ticks
Ticks remain active in warm weather. Here are some easy steps you can take to help reduce the presence of ticks in your yard and on your pets:
- Vacuum your home regularly
- Spray your pets with a natural tick repellent weekly
- Use hot water to wash blankets, linen, and cushion covers
- Properly sanitize areas in your home that draw insects
- Keep your grass cut short
- Shampoo your pet every couple of weeks or so
- Remove fallen leaves, tree branches, and weeds from your lawn
- Don't take your pets into wooded areas
Taking these precautions will help both you and your pet stay safe from ticks and even fleas. These natural remedies will do the trick if ticks have already infected your pet, or if you just want to be proactive.
Of course, the largest concern about ticks on our pets is Lyme Disease. Take a look at our Lyme disease topic page to get a fuller education on the subject.